Patient and radiographer acceptability of prophylactic skin care for breast patients receiving radiotherapy

Southworth, A, Ketterer, S-J ORCID: 0000-0001-9230-9440 and Kirby, M ORCID: 0000-0001-9765-5641 (2021) Patient and radiographer acceptability of prophylactic skin care for breast patients receiving radiotherapy. RADIOGRAPHY, 27 (3). pp. 755-760.

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Abstract

<h4>Introduction</h4>This study aimed to: • Address the lack of information surrounding patient preference within radiotherapy skin care. • Identify if prophylactic skin care is the preferred approach of patients and staff. • Establish if patients and staff are accepting of the use of a type of barrier film, such as 3M™ Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film.<h4>Methods</h4>Twelve patients undergoing standard whole breast radiotherapy and four staff members who were based mainly on a breast-specific treatment unit were interviewed using semi-structured techniques. The interview transcripts were coded for areas of interest and a thematic map generated using the qualitative data analysis software (NVivo V12, QSR International).<h4>Results</h4>One Hundred percent of patients (n = 12) would have preferred a proactive approach to skin care management over the reactive one currently implemented. Staff were also in favour of a proactive approach to skin care with 100% (n = 4) supportive of a trial into the film's effectiveness. Three key themes were identified: • Theme 1: Patient Ownership of Own care - all patients identified they preferred a prophylactic approach and that more specific skin care guidance from healthcare professionals would be beneficial. • Theme 2: Product Practicality - 93% of patients and 100% of staff accepted the product and would be open to the use of it clinically. • Theme 3: Staff Acknowledgement of Skin Care - all staff identified a patient group in need of prophylaxis and that Cavilon No Sting may be a product of interest.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Patients and staff were in support of prophylactic skin care, both approved of the proposed product. However, there is a significant lack of clinical evidence to support the use of any topical products within radiotherapy skincare due to the lack of high-quality studies.<h4>Implications for practice</h4>Changes to skin care practice could be considered due to patient preference in favour of proactive management.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Breast, Patient preference, Proactive, Radiotherapy, Skin care
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health > School of Health Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Mar 2023 09:57
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2023 09:57
DOI:	10.1016/j.radi.2021.02.010
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169045